CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who had raised the issue of bribery allegations within the Kerala Assembly last year, has strongly denied any nexus between CPI(M) and bar owners.
The allegations of bribery made by hoteliers against Kerala's UDF government, has now turned its spotlight on Kerala's Opposition - CPI(M).
Excerpts of a leaked audio record, which was with the police originally, has hotelier Biju Ramesh speaking to others from the bar associations about "attempts to topple the government".
"I have anyway received an assurance from Kodiyeri Balakrishnan (CPI-M state secretary) that 418 bars will be re-opened if LDF comes to power. Let us pull this government down. I am looking at all possibilities," the hotelier can be heard speaking.
Hotelier Biju Ramesh is the key "whistle blower", whose allegations of bribery led to KM Mani resigning as Finance Minister last year, and brought other Congress ministers under the spotlight. He has alleged that the UDF ministers took bribes to renew bar licences, which instead were shut down in the wake of the state's new liquor policy. He himself is among the bar owners who adversely effected by the new policy.
CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who had raised the issue of bribery allegations within the Kerala Assembly last year, has strongly denied any nexus between CPI(M) and bar owners.
"We don't need the support of bar owners to topple the government. I challenge the government to take us to court because if they believe in one excerpt of the audio, they have to believe in the other where their ministers are being named. Let us all go to court. I challenge them," Mr Balakrishnan told mediapersons in Thiruvananthapuram.
The UDF is claiming that these allegations have stemmed from a CPI(M)-bar hoteliers nexus to topple the government. Last week, the UDF had also ordered crime branch to investigate any links between the investigating officer of the bribery case and bar owners. A move the LDF has slammed, as vendetta for an investigation report which, initially turned out anti-government but later gave a clean chit to then Finance Minister KM Mani.
These developments are being watched closely ahead of Assembly elections in the state.
Meanwhile, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will be addressing a Congress rally in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. He will also be meeting the UDF allies as well as attending the KPCC executive meeting on Wednesday.